Mail collecting and distributing pouch.



PATENTED JAN, 10, 1905.

I E. M. LETTS. MAIL COLLECTING AND DISTRIBUTING POUOH.-

APPLICATION FILED MAY 25, 1904.

- JLVJ/ Witnesses:

UNITED STATES Patented January 10, 1905.

PATENT OFFICE.

MAIL COLLECTING AND DISTRIBUTING POUCH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 779,551, dated January10, 1905.

Application filed May 25, 1904. Serial No. 209,813.

To all 11/72/0171, it nuty concern:

Be it known that I, EVERT MoNTvILLE LETTS, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing in Fox township, in the county of Sullivan, in theState of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Mail Collectingand Distributing Pouch, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a combined mail collecting and distributingpouch.

The object of the invention is to facilitate the collecting anddistributing of mail, more particularly in rural districts; to presentin a single structure means for keeping the mail collected and the mailto be distributed separate and distinct; to enable the letter-carrier toarrange his mail-matter before leaving the post-office in such manner asto allow him to distribute it without the necessity of the employment ofstraps or bands, which have to be removed in order to release the letteror other mail-matter, and generally to improve existing devices of thischaracter.

With the above and other objects in view, as will appear as the natureof the invention is better understood, the same consists in'the novelconstruction and combination of parts of a mail collecting anddistributing pouch, as will be hereinafter fullydescribed and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, andin which like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts,there are illustrated two forms of embodiment of the invention, eachcapable of carrying the same into practical operation, it beingunderstood that the elements therein exhibited may be varied or changed.as to shape, proportion, and exact manner of assemblage withoutdeparting from the spirit thereof.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a view in perspective of a form ofembodiment of the invention adapted for use in the collection anddelivery of rural mail-routes and is designed to be placed in a vehicle.Fig. 2 is a view in perspective of a second form of embodiment of theinvention designed to be carried by the letter-carrier. Fig. 3 is asectional detail view of a part of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a sectional detailview of a part of Fig. 2.

- The device illustrated in Fig. 1 embodies a frame comprising four legs1, connected and braced by cross-pieces 2, of which there are shown inthis instance two, although it will be understood that, if preferred,this number may be increased and still be within the scope of theinvention. Combined with the legs are four rods 3, one end of each ofwhich is rigidly secured in two of the legs and the opposite ends ofwhich project through the other legs and carry on their free endsdetachable knobs or stops 4:, which serve to prevent the rods frombecoming disconnected from the legs. Strung upon these rods is a seriesof leaves or partitions 5, which are preferably made of canvas or someother heavy textile material and are provided with eyelets 6 at thepoints where the rods pass through them.

These leaves carry on each side pockets 7, as

clearly shown in Fig. 3, which are designed to receive the mail-mattercollected and to be distributed, and these pockets may be alphabeticallyor numerically indicated to inform the carrier as to the person orpersons to receive the mail in a certain pocket. Thus, for example, if aletter-carrier in a rural district has fifty houses to which he deliversmail the pouch may be provided with a suflicient number of leaves orpartitions to contain fifty pockets, and these will be numbered, say,from l to or otherwise indicated. The mail-matter may be distributed atthe postoflice and placed in these pockets, and when the carrier comesto the different houses it will only be necessary to remove the mailfrom the pocket and deliver it, thereby saving time andgreatlyfacilitating the work, especially in cold weather. The pockets on oneside will be reserved for matter to be distributed and those on theopposite side for matter to be collected.

In the form of embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 2 there is aframe provided consisting of side pieces 8 and top and bottomcross-pieces 9 for securing these together, and these side pieces willbe spaced apart a sufficient distance to cause them to bear against thesides of the letter-carrier, and the device as a whole will be securedin position by straps and buckles 11. Secured to the side pieces 8 inany preferred manner is one end of each of four rods 12, which, as shownin Fig. 2, are disposed on a slight upward angle, the outer ends ofthese rods being provided with detachable knobs or stops 13, Whichoperate to prevent the leaves or partitions 14 from becomingdisconnected and also to permit of the leaves being removed whennecessary, as-in case of repairs. These leaves 14 are substantially ofthe same construction as those shown in Fig. 1 and are provided onopposite sides with pockets 15 and 16, which are covered by flaps 17 and18. The pockets on the outer side of the leaves are larger than those onthe inner side and are designed to receive collected mail-matter, whilethose on the inner side of the leaves are of smaller size and areadapted to receive mail-matter to be distributed and are numerically orotherwise indicated, as shown in Fig. 2, in which the pockets are shownas numbered from 1 to 10 consecutively. In the use of this form of pouchthe mail-matter will be distributed at the post-oi'iice and placed inthe appropriate pockets, and it will be delivered from house to house inthe manner described in connection with the device shown in Fig. 1,While the matter collected will be placed in the pockets 15. Theportable form of pouch just described is light and can be worn byletter-carriers Without any greater discomfort than that attending theordinary mail-pouch in general use.

The object for having the rods 12 disposed on an incline is to cause theleaves always to press toward the body of the carrier, thus to bring thepockets within easy reach to collect or distribute the mail-matter.

The devices as a whole are exceedingly simple of construction, may bereadily manufactured, and easily repaired when necessary. In their usethe labor incident to the collection and distribution of mail-matter inrural districts will be materially lessened, and accuracy will also besecured With a minimum of danger of loss of mail-matter, whichfrequently is caused by the letter-carriers hands being stiff with cold.The mail-matter being inclosed in pockets covered by flaps Will beprotected from the elements, and the mail in each pocket may be securedby a string or rubber band. and thus obviate the necessity of huntingthrough a number of packages of mail to find a desired letter.

Having thus described the invention, What is claimed is 1. A mailcollecting and distributing pouch embodyinga supporting-frame, and meansfor securing the same in position,'a plurality of rods carried by theframe and provided at their free ends with detachable knobs or stops,and leaves or partitions carried by the rods and provided on oppositesides With pockets.

2. A mail collecting and distributing pouch embodying asupporting-frame, and means for securing the same in position, aplurality of rods carried by the frame and provided at their free endswith detachable knobs or stops, and leaves or partitions carried by therods and provided on one side With relatively large pockets to receivecollected mail, and on the opposite side with relatively small pocketsto receive mail to be distributed.

3. A portable mail collecting and distributing pouch embodying asupporting-frame and means for securing the same in position, aplurality of upwardly-inclined rods carried by the frame and provided attheir free ends with detachable knobs or stops, and leaves or partitionscarried by the rods and provided on opposite sides with pockets.

EVERT MONTVILLE LETTS.

l/Vitnesses:

WILLIAM L. WVILLIAMs, ANNIE Ln'rrs.

